We have an admission, here in the SOUTH WALES LIFE office, we love us a Festive Jumper. Maybe it’s not the sort of thing to admit, but in an office drawer, cunningly marked ‘files’ we have our little stash of fluffy favourites. The really sad thing is, we’re not kidding. All we can say is, thank heaven for Primark (other jumper providers are available).

So imagine our excitement when we heard that some of our favourite charities are bringing back JOLLY JUMPER DAY this year. And let’s be honest, if ever we need a bit of Jolly, then it has to be 2020.

The nice thing about it is, you can wear your favourite go to festive sweater, safe in the knowledge that you are supporting an amazing charity. And the bonus is you’re also going to brighten the day of all who see you wearing it.

JOLLY JUMPER DAY is primarily all about getting in the spirit by wearing your festive jumper with your school, office, club, church, or wherever you may be and raising some money for your local Cancer Care charity, but you can do whatever you like! You could place a financial penalty on those who don’t wear a jumper, sell festive cakes, do a Christmas quiz – whatever will entertain you! There are no limits – make it your own!

We are great believers that if you’re going to do something, then do it in style, so here are a few of our particular favourites……

Although the day is actually two days, Friday 11th December (Tenovus Cancer Care), and Friday 18th December (St David’s Hospice), we say just go to town and make your Jolly Jumpers a feature of your festive wardrobe.

These two days are a great chance for you to take part on your last day in work before the weekend, so you can then wear your best knit wear to the pub in the evening, safe in the fact you have helped support these incredible organisations.

From the office to the classroom, by getting Christmassy for the cause you are helping to provide much needed care to all over South Wales during the festive period.

Of course it doesn’t only have to be you. We know people who have a special place for their dog, right at the bottom of the bed. So by our reckoning, that means the Pet Pullover needs to be worn too.

It’s an even more poignant time for patients and families who are facing Christmas with a life limiting illness. Just by donning your festive knit and donating you are making sure that their nurses can continue to care when patients need us most. They would, of course love for you to donate whatever you can manage but also have fun doing it. Every penny helps!

So, let’s tell you what each charity is doing……

TENOVUS CANCER CARE: FRIDAY 11th DECEMBER

Jump at the chance to pull on that festive fleece or seasonal sweater to help raise money for Tenovus Cancer Care this Christmas.

This year is obviously different due to COVID-19, but they encourage you to do this remotely, on your Teams or Zooms calls, or in the workplace as and where possible.

They want as many organisations to join them over the festive season by taking part in Jolly Jumper Day on Friday 11th December – or whatever date during the festive season that suits you best! Ask your staff, pupils, contractors, customers or whoever you’ve got around you, to become a jolly jumper wearer for the day and donate £1 to charity! Ask those who won’t succumb to the woolly warmers to pay a £2 fine to charity for being a grumpy grinch!

There’s lots of exciting ways to raise money this Christmas and Jolly Jumper Day is just one. You can add to the fun by asking customers to vote by using their loose change to select their Jolly Jumper Day winner or by playing our Pin the Nose on Rudolph game! You can find these ideas and more in their Festive Fundraising Guide!

For more information, and to sign up, just go here TENOVUS

ST DAVID’S HOSPICE CARE – FRIDAY 18th DECEMBER

Jolly Jumper Day is a festive fundraiser in support of St David’s Hospice Care where the community gets involved by holding their own events to raise money. They’ll be holding their event on Friday 18th December but you can hold yours whenever suits you. There is no limit to what you do for your event, it can be as big and jolly or as humble as you like, as long as there’s a festive theme.

From the office to the classroom, by getting Christmassy for the cause you are helping to provide much needed hospice care to patients all over South East Wales during the festive period. It is an even more poignant time for patients and families who are facing Christmas with a life limiting illness. Just by donning your festive knit and donating you are making sure that their nurses can continue to care when patients need them most. They would love for you to donate whatever you can manage but also have fun doing it.

• Jolly Jumper Day in school or work
• Grab some friends and family, get together and wear your jumpers whilst making a donation towards the work of the Hospice (Even on Christmas Day)
• Hold a Coffee Morning, Tea at 3 or maybe a G&T at 3!

If you’d like more details and to to sign up for this one, just go here ST DAVID’S

Finally, we’ve had some seasonal snaps sent into the office and we love that you are getting into the spirit of the jumper……